A Christmas Quiz Thread

Ok, try this ...

In much of Europe (east of France) St Nicholas is accompanied by what/who? What do they do when they get to each child's room?
 
Mrs Tiggy Winkle said:
He may be accompanied by Knecht Ruprecht or by Krampus

No idea on the second question.
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Yes he is accompanied by an imp/devil character, called Krampus in Austria and countries/regions nearby, other names elsewhere.
I'm told that they debate whether the child has been good or bad, if good the child gets sweets etc, if bad they are left a birch rod ( to be beaten with ). Except of course the child is always found to have been good enough... 😁😉

Your turn @Mrs Tiggy Winkle !
 
In a certain way, Christmastide ends on Epiphany.

What holiday season starts on Epiphany in various parts of South Germany, (possibly also bits of Switzerland and Austria)? Note: among certain families in South-West Germany, it's actually far more important than Christmas, culturally-speaking.
 
It was a very difficult question and a little unfair since being even more important than Christmas for some families means it's not part of Christmas...

The answer: schwäbisch-alemannische Fastnacht! It starts 6th January (in the evening in my town) and culminates in the days running up to Pancake Tuesday and on P.T. itself, a pre-Lent celebration like Mardi Gras.

It's a Catholic festival in origin. There are still people from at least one generation in my town and towns round about who were told by their parents they weren't allowed to join in the celebrations because 'Protestants don't do that'.

@Qualcast&Flymo @Merab One of you gets to ask the next question, for trying so hard on this difficult question
 
Merab said:
Every day is a learning day 😊

@Qualcast&Flymo do you want to ask the next question?
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Sorry, been a bit busy... it's Epiphany (Three King's Day) today, so this is just in time...

Why are Robins associated with Christmas, and often pictured on Christmas cards?
(There is a probable real reason and also a legend giving a reason)
 
Probable real reason: Postmen wore red-breasted uniforms in the Victorian age, so robins on Christmas cards came to symbolise the bringer of the cards.

Legend 1: A robin pulled a thorn from Christ's crown of thorns and the blood flowing from that coloured the robin's breast red
Legend 2: A robin flew between the fire in the stable and Baby Jesus and fluffing out his wings to protect Baby Jesus' face from the flames, the flames scorched the robin's breast, giving the robin a red-breast.
 
So are you believers in the UK Anglican then? I remember very little from my British history class in college. But I do remember a cultural lesson on alcopops being marketed to minors lol.

In Michigan we mostly have Calvinists and some Catholic, a little Baptist and then there is an evangelical movement as well.

I'm Muslim but I am Shiite and there are mostly Sunni here so most wouldn't like me if they knew. We only have Sunni mosques so I don't have one. Two hours away from me near Detroit is the Arab capital of the country where there are a couple. I've been there for my wedding to a Jordanian and lol the food is good and gold jewelry is a good deal for some unique pieces.
 
I grew up kind of Anglican, kind of atheist. I'm not sure atm if I'm a believer. Going through doubt again. In Germany there is no widespread Anglican Church. I tend to go to the Catholic Church if anywhere though I have been to Lutheran too, which in my town is fairly moderate. A bit further east it's more Calvinist and doesn't appeal to me.

Lots of people celebrate Christmas who are nominally Christian, so knowing Christmas lore doesn't necessarily mean Christian. In fact, in Germany there are even Turkish people who celebrate it, Turkish people who are Muslim (or maybe nominally Muslim).

I don't know much about Islam, so e.g. I don't know the difference between Shiite and Sunnite, tho I suppose I should.
 
Sorry, other things got in the way of the quiz.
Thanks for the answers to the robin’s red breast.
I do love all the legends and stories around Christmas.

I would call myself a Christian with allegiance to the Methodist Church and the Vineyard Church.
Like @Mrs Tiggy Winkle I’ve never quite understood the difference between Shiite and Sunni Muslims, or why people wouldn’t like you if they knew you were a Shiite @Ramia .
Surely we should be able to like people for who they are and respect whatever faith ( or none ) they hold.
 
It's all about who took over leadership after Muhammad, Shiite believing his grandson should and after that his great grandson and that his descendants were infallible. Sunnis believe he chose his friend to lead after him.

We also have some practices that they disagree with because they misinterpret them.

My ex husband apologized to me for being anti Shiite when we were married and now said he realized the differences were marginal. Wish all people would come to that conclusion
 
Mrs Tiggy Winkle said:
Probable real reason: Postmen wore red-breasted uniforms in the Victorian age, so robins on Christmas cards came to symbolise the bringer of the cards.

Legend 1: A robin pulled a thorn from Christ's crown of thorns and the blood flowing from that coloured the robin's breast red
Legend 2: A robin flew between the fire in the stable and Baby Jesus and fluffing out his wings to protect Baby Jesus' face from the flames, the flames scorched the robin's breast, giving the robin a red-breast.
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That's correct- postmen had red waistcoats, so they were nicknamed Robins or Redbreasts, and people started putting Robins on cards.

I hadn't heard your Legend 1, which sounds more Easterish. The version of no2 I've heard was that a little brown bird flew on to the stable and started to fan the embers of the fire with its wings to stop it going out and keep baby Jesus warm, and its breast got scorched. 🐦‍🔥
 
Qualcast&Flymo said:
I hadn't heard your Legend 1, which sounds more Easterish. The version of no2 I've heard was that a little brown bird flew on to the stable and started to fan the embers of the fire with its wings to stop it going out and keep baby Jesus warm, and its breast got scorched. 🐦‍🔥
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I found all of it via Auntie Google, so Legend 1 was new to me too. You're right, it does sound more like Easter, hadn't thought of that.
 
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